That’s how Gov. Gregoire’s Budget Director, Victor Moore, characterized the challenge state lawmakers will face in January when they return to Olympia and have to patch what he predicts will be a budget hole of between $750 million and $1 billion.

Yesterday, lawmakers gathered in Olympia with dozens of reporters and editors from around the state for the annual Associated Press legislative forum. Their message: The budget will dominate this 105-day session.
Another message: This session will end in 105 days. To paraphrase Marty Brown, Gov. Chris Gregoire's Legislative director: Budget decisions won't get easier with more time. There's no way to predict whether Legislators will be able to agree on a budget by the end of regular session, but several said it was an important goal.
Watch the entire forum here:
On the budget: Continue reading A preview of the 2009 legislative session…